Spark intensifier



Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STATES ENT T HERBERT REDMAN isriutx INTENSIFIER I Application filed may 12, 1931. Serial No. mm;

1 My present invention has reference to improvements in the ignition system of inter nal combustion engines and has-for its primary object the provision of means inter- ".l'posed between the spark point and the disltributor-of an ignition system for stepping up the current until it reaches its maximum firing value for distribution to the spark in s. Y

further object is the provision of a spark intensifier which is arranged between the coil and the distributor so that only a single intensifier is required irrespective of the number of cylinders of the engine-and wherein the current is stepped up before the distributor is reached. r A further object is the provision of a spark intensifier that is characterized by simplicity in construction, and reliability and efiiciency in practical use. i

To the attainment ofthe foregoingtheinvention consists in the improvement hereinafter described and definitely claimed.

In the drawing:

L Figure 1 is an elevation illustrating the invention connected to the distributor of the ignition system of an internal combustlon engine.

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal sectlonal view through the improvement. 0

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional v1ew approximately on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a similar sectional view approxlmately on the line 41- 1 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the socket and the flanged discs that provide the compartments of the intensifier.

Figure 6 is a similar view of the plug.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a blank from which the socket is formed.

Figure 8 is a similar view of a blank from which the plug is formed.

In the drawing the numeral 10 indicates a distributor of any well known type employed for conducting the current in timed relation to the spark plugs from the spark coil of the ignition system of an automobile or other gasoline motor. The conductor wire that leads from the spark coil to the dis- I tributgr is indicated by the numeral 11. In 7 is made up from a single piece of metal which The body isprovided with curved score lines carrying out-my'invention this main ignition wire 11 is removedfrom the distributor and has its end received in the socket of my improved spark intensifier. The intensifier comprises a. body portion which is in the nature of asleeve 12 of insulatingmaterial. In the'outer end of the sleeve I arrange the metal socket of the improvement.v As disclosed byFigure 7 ofsthe drawingthe socket '60 is cross-shaped in plan which has its central or body portion, atthe juncture ofthe right angular arms thereof, formed with slots 13 whose inner or terminal walls are rounded.

.1 1, which are arranged in aline with the inner walls. of the notches 13 and with. said walls afford a complete surface.- The arms 14: are bent angularly in the samedirection upon the score lines 14 and are arched transversely upon themselves to provide .a tubular socket, the arms'15 of which exert a sufficient spring tension away from each'other as to frictionally engage with the bore of the insulator sleeve 12, and the ;.-V-shaped slots 13 providenotches between the arms. The

tubular sleeve, when in 'assembled'position 10 in which the main ignitionwire 11 is normally received. The socket 181is.alsoconstructed from a cross-shaped'strip of metal, as disclosed by Figure 8, and the right angularly arranged arms, at-the juncture with the bodvthereof, are formed with V'-shaped notches 20,'the outer ends of the said arms being-widened laterally,as at 21. The arms are bent on rounded score lines from the bottour or body at the same direction and aresloo arched in cross section, as are the ends 21, and these ends 21 have their edges in contacting engagement and provide the widened and opened end 17 of the plug 18 that is disclosed by Figures 2 and 6 of the drawing.

The widened and open end of the plug. is offset from -the remainder thereof sothat the body of the plug is reduced and the widened end 17 thereof will frictionallycontact with 10 the bore'of'the's1eeve'12 and thereby effectively hold the plug in the sleeve. Arranged in the bore of the sleeve 12, resting on the upper end 17 of the plug 18 and having its body 22 in frictional'contact with the bore of the sleeve 12 there is a cup-shaped member 23 and in this cup-there rests metal halls24eJ The cup-23 rests on the end of the plu' g lS in'the sleeve 12. Directly above but spaced from the cup 23 and-the balls 24 therein there is aninverted cup 25 and resting upon the'inverted cup 25 there is another andshallower cup 26. The cup 26 provides a 'receptacle for metal spheres 28. Above the-cup' 26 and the spheres thereinthere is another inverted cup 29. The facing pairs of cupsprovidel-therebetween short circuiting pockets or compartments for the current that .is-directed through the intensifier; The principle of the intensifier is similar to those of 30 "other' devic'es for the same purpose. The electr'ici'current directed through the wire 11 meets an obstruction inboth ofv the compartments or chambersBO and. 31 between the casing cups. These breaks in thecurrent disturb 35 its equilibrium, causing :-the same to back up voltage to jump over the obstructions in proportion to the degree of its disturbed equilibrium 1 and the voltage or force erected by the electricity to resume itsbalance will,

' when the break "or obstruction ispassed create a; spark from'lwhich intense heat is emitted. 'The spheres' 24wand 28 are important elements in *my' construction, as the spheres create" several points from which the currents I must jump. Current "leaving the coil will,

of course; flow through the conductor 11,

through the: intensifier and is stepped up in itspassage frorn 'the' electrodes provided by the cups and spheres and an increased amount "of currentr'wvill pass from the distributor to each of the spark plugs.

- The invention issusceptible to various changes in'its form, proportions and minor details of constru'c'tion and the right is here- 'i-n reserved to make suchc'han'ges therefrom as fairly fall within the scope of what I claim. Having-described the invention, I claim: 1. A'sp'ark intensifier for the high tension conductorof the'distributor in the ignition "system of an internal combustionengine, comprising a sleeve of insulating material, a split' metal resilient" socket in one end of the sleeve exerting airictional engagement thereagainst and designed to receive the con- 7 'ductor: Wire 'therein,*a split metal resilient plug in and frictionally engaging with the bore in the second end of the sleeve and ex tending therebeyond, and said plug designed to be received in the socket of the distributor, oppositely directed metal cups arranged in pairs in the sleeve betweenthe socket and the plug and the open confronting endsof the cups being spaced from each other, and pyramidally arranged spheres of high electric conductivity loosely received in the resp'eetive pairs of cups.

2. A spark intensifier for the purpose set forth, comprising a sleeve of insulating material, a metalsocket in one end of the sleeve 'for' the reception of a conductor wire, said 50 socket having its body slitted to provide springelements which exert a friction engagement with the bore of the sleeve and the said body of the socket being provided with openingsin a line with the'inner wall thereof, a metal plug of tubular formation and having its widened andopened end received in the second end of the sleeve, said plug having its body slotted to afford individual friction elements to contact with the bore of f the sleeve, and the outer end ofrthe sleeve designed to be received in thesocket of a distributor, metal cups in the sleeve; andthe outer cups-being in-contact respectively with the socket and with the plug, said cups ,being-,;; arranged in pairs that have their .open mouths confronting .but spaced from each other, andpyramidally arranged spheres of high electric conductivity freely arrangedin each of the pairs of cups. V p -4 ,In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FREDERIC L. DOERRHQEFERJ. 

